"As the debate over funding the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) heats up, nine cultural organizations have sent a letter to Congress urging the expansion of federal funding for the IMLS in its fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills. Markup by a House Appropriations Subcommittee on the bills is set for later this week.

"As has been the case in every year of his two administrations, President Donald Trump is looking to stop funding the agency. These efforts have intensified during his second administration, with Trump issuing an executive order last year to dismantle the key library agency. Various lawsuits were able to block those orders, but for fiscal 2027 the administration is once again proposing to eliminate the IMLS. Last year, Congress rejected the White House proposal and provided funding increases.

"In their letter, the nine organizations note that, 'museums, libraries, and archives form the bedrock of our nation and communities, long serving as gateways to knowledge, literacy, workforce skills, culture, and civic life in uniquely American ways.' As such, the letter continues, these institutions deserve increased funding."

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